Base-exchange water softener



Oct. 13,1925." 1,557,117

O. R. SWEENEY BASE EXCHANGE WATER SOFTENER I Fil Fe 9. 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 0. R. SWEENEY BASE EXCHANGE WATER son-nuan- Filed Feb. 9, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Oct. 13, 1925.

UNITED STATES QELAND RUSSELL SWEENEY, Am, IQWA, as

PORATIQN, OF ROCKFORD, ILLINUIfi, are

Application filed February e, an. seen in.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ORLAND R. SWEENEY, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of Ames, in the county of Story and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Base-Exchange Water Softeners, of which the following is of their composition, for another base mineral present in the water brought into contact with them. These minerals or materials which are used for this purpose are commonly known as zeolites and their composition is various, although they are composed essentially of hydrated silicates of aluminium or hydrated silicates of aluminium and iron with a base.

For most commercial purposes, zeolites containing a sodium base are preferred and will exchange their sodium base for the calcium, magnesium and iron in the hard water, the exchange continuing until the sodium base of the zeolites has been replaced by the bases contained in the hard water. This exchange renders the water soft and the zeolitic material, after use, may be regenerated, i. e., the calcium or magnesium base may be replaced by a sodium base for further water softening, by asolution of sodium chloride' The sodium chloride or brine through chemical reaction with the calcium or magnesium. base zeolite replaces the calcium radical with sodium. It

is the reversibility of such reactions which render the zeolitic material valuable for water softening processes.

One of the primary purposes of my invention is to improve the process of softening water with base exchange 'materials.

with a view to increasing the efiiciency thereof by providing improved apparatus for such process.

Apparatus now commonly used for baseexchange water softening have many objectionable features. For instance, the water is permitted to flow through the base-ex- EXCHANGE WATER 3 change mineral through thick layers of crushed quartz, sand, or sand and gravel, which are necessitated by the character of such apparatus. The water to be softened is allowed to play directl and unevenly upon the mineral or the thick la or or bed 0 quartz, sand or gravel plac upon the zeolltic material with the result that "chanv nels or preferential pamages are formed through the sand or gravel beds, and through the mineral, through which the water will flow, without the'required contact with the zeolitic material. As a result, but a small portion of the base-exchange material is utilized, and that inefiectively. It has also often been found necessar filter some waters of impurities or d bris carried in sus ension before the water reaches the zeolites. If the water were not filtered, the debris and impurities would cover the surface of the zeolitic material and prevent full contact of the hard water therewith for the exchange.

I have discovered that it is unnecessary to use sand, quartz, gravel, or the like, for the purpose of distributing the water to the zeolitic material, for these materials not only occupy a great amount of space for a given capacity of softening apparatus, but are inimical to the ecient water softening, zeolitic regenerative process, andnecessary washing of the zeolitic material after regeneration. With my invention, the sand, gravel, quartz, and the like, now so universally used as retaining and distributing mediums and which tend to cement together under the action of the constituents and dbris carried by hard water, are rendered unnecessary elements. An added advantage of my invention is the incidental filtering action which makes possible its use in connection with turbid waters without a separate or additional filter which must be used with prior water softeners when the water is-turbid.

Briefly stated, my invention consists in passing the hard and usually unfiltered water through a diaphragm havin interstices or loramina of such extreme y small size that the water passing therethrou h will be efiectively filtered and to y distributed over and to theface of a bed of base-exchange mineral without the inter position of sand; gravel, quartz, or the i it is drawn ofi for use. Preferably also, a

damping space is provided above the to of the bed of zeolitic material or a secon diaphragm is interposed between the top of the bed of zeolitic material and the soft water outlet from the apparatus to prevent any zeolitic material which may be carried upwardly by and suspended in the water passing through the bed of mineral from 'being carried into the service system or to waste.

In the preferred practice of my invention, in regenerating the zeolite, the brine solution or other regenerating agency is passed downwardly in the reverse direction to the passage of water during the softening process and the flow of this material, together with the similar flow of water used for washing the apparatus and zeolite of excess regenerating brine will remove any filtered deposits gathered upon the dia-' phragm and carry it off therefrom. In this operation, also, a much less amount of regenerating material and water are required.

The diaphragm is preferably filter cloth composed of a fine wire fabric made from a non-corrodible metal providing a maximum of interstices or foramina to g1ve substan tially perfect distribution to and an intimate contact of the water with the baseexchange mineral, or with the brine solution used for regenerating. A properly supported filter cloth will also serve to retaln the mineral and since the filter cloth is very 1 thin, less space is consumed in the softener apparatus, giving greater capacity for a given size of apparatus or it enables a smaller size apparatus to be substituted for a larger one for the same capacity. The fine mesh of the filter cloth will filter out most material or dbris suspended in the water entering the softener and where desired,

from the brine or other regenerating agent used, protecting the base-exchange mineral from contamination. A single thickness of the cloth is usually sufficient for its urpose and therefore provides no interna interstices or foramina to become permanently clogged, for the matter filtered from the, water. will collect on the entering side from which it may be readily removed upon reversal of the flow of water through the softener at each regenerating operation. It

the formation of preferential passages through the base-exchange material.

When a diaphragm of the character described is utihzed at both top and bottom of a bed of base-exchange mineral or zeolite, the size of a water softener of gi "en capacity may be still further reduced, for the dead space necessary where but one diaphragm is used, as above explained, may be cut down or entirely avoided.

I have also found that certain other materials may be utilized to take the place of the filter cloth with substantially equal efficiency although they occupy more space than the cloth and necessarily require slightly larger apparatus for the same capacities. One such material is commercially lmown under the name of filtros and is composed of particles of sand fused together into a porous mass. When properly manufactured, it is strong enough in slab form to support the base-exchange mineral, and fine enough in texture to prevent the mineral from washing through in one direction or dbris carried in with the entering water from passing through it to contaminate the mineral. From its nature, filtrose provides more interstices or foramina than sand and gravel, and the interstices or foramina are more uniformly spaced. Auxiliary supports for such material, even for slabs of but 1 thickness and of relatively great diameter or length, are unnecessary, and it may be cemented in place in the apparatus. Just as .one sheet of filter cloth may be used at both top and bottom of the softener apparatus, so may two slabs of filtros be used, one at the top and one at the bottom of the softener, to support and confine. the zeolite for either an upward or downward flow of the water to be softened.

Many other materials, such as rotten stone, sintered aluminium oxide, otherwise known as alundum, and pumice, may also be used.

The invention also contemplates the pro- A further purpose isthe provision of a,

softener embodying the features and providing the advantages above mentioned so constructed and arranged that it may be manuclaims and from the drawings in low cost and will serve its par la a practical and satisfactory manner, and still 1 f ier objects -should become readily apparent from perusal of the descriptfifu;l and w 1c v Figure 1 is an elevation of one form of the invention partly in section; V

Figure 2 is a fragmentary section of an v Epparatus embodying'my inventionvwith a ter cloth support alternative to theisupport shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figiire 2, showing a still further modification of filter cloth support,

Figures 4 and 5 are similar views to that of Figure 1, showing alternative constructions utilizing a slab of filtros or other material hercinbefore specified;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary face view showing one embodiment of a filter cloth diaphragm used withmy invention; and- Figs. 7, 8, and 9 are sections taken substantially on the lines 7-7, 8-8, and 9-9, respectively, of Fig. 6, all of the drawings being 'diaatic.

The drawings illustrate one term ol' my invention in which it is applied to a domestic or household Water softening apparatus, that is. one of such size and construction best suited for the needs of the average fully or other small user of soft water. It embodies simplicity of construction, involving no complicated system of valves nor diculties in manipulation or operation inherent in apparatus of this character heretofore constructed and these advantages of design greatly simplify its manipulation for use as a softener or for regenerating and washing after regeneration. Any unskilled person may easily follow the few instructions necessary'tor its installation and operation. The zeolite or other base-exchange mineral designated 2 is placed within a cylindrical or other suitably formed tank 4 which is preterabl sup orted in an upright position.

As s own in Fig. 1, the tank is provided with outwardly flanged rims 5 and 6 for cooperative engagement with outwardly flanged portions 7 and 8 of bottom and top.

dished ends 9 and 10, respectively.

Clamped between the ends and the flanged portions of the tank are sheets or diaphragms of a very fine mesh, non-corroding metal, filter cloth 11, although these sheets or diaphragms may be otherwise secured as shown at 12 in Fig. 2, and at 13 in Fig. 3. The zeolitic material 2 is not supported on a bed of sand or ravel as is often or usually the casein other devices, but'is preferably supported directly upon the bottom filter cloth 11 which may be .in turn supported by quartz, ceramic material, or other clean rock, or grog 14. Alternatively I may use corrugated metal or other material 16 having a large number of coarse openin 17 therethrou h and suprted upon t e inner shoul ers 18 of anges 7 of the bottom end member 9, or, I may use bars 19 of metal or the like er- I ed in the form of a grating as shown in, 3. Various other constructions may be used as will be ap arent. Suitable packing between the tan wall flanges and the end members may be provided as desired and necessary.

Each end member 9 and 10 is tapped at a suitable point, in this case at the point of maximum depth, to receive pipes 20 and 21. The pipe 20 preferably serves as the inlet pipe for hard water and as a drain outlet connection to drain valve 22 when the ze litic material 2 is being regenerated, while the pipe 2i, in such "use, serves as an outlet pipe for soft water to the service system and alsolas an inlet connection to the tank from funnel 23 through valve 2t tor regeneratin the mineral. Hard water from any suite is source of supply is carried through the pipe 25 to pipe 26 through valve 27 and coection 28 to the pipe 20 from which it is delivered into the bottom of the tank, passes through the crushed rock 14, is thoroughly filtered and distributed by the filter cloth l1, evenly and uniformly to thezeolitic material through which it passes to the pipe 21, thence through the ipes 29, 3Q, 31, and valve 32, to the service. line 33. A valve 34 is normally closed during the softening operation.

ln the modified forms of the invention shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the piping system may be identical, as shown, with the piping system nsedin the construction illustrated in Fig. l, but instead of using a filter cloth. a suitable slab of material 36 is substituted therefor. 'lhis may be filtros, rotten-stone, sintered aluminium oxide, or alundum, or pice, secured and supported in any suitable manner within the tank, and in turn preferably supports the heolitic material directly. If a. filter cloth, or a slab of filter material 36 is not used at both top and bottom ends of the zeolitic filterin material, it is preferable to provide a tank to approximately the proportionate levels shown in the drawings. The valves 22, 24, and 34 closed, and the valves 27 and 32 opened. Water from the street main, or other source of supply, entering pipe 25 will pass through pipes 26, 28, and 20 into the bottom of the water softening apparatus where it will be filtered and uniformly distributed to the zeolitic material by the filter cloth 11 over the entire bottom area of the zeolitic material. The water rises through the material and is thereby softened, and passes upwardly through the secondary filter cloth at the top for removal of any suspended zeolitic material, or through the space 37 (Fig. 4) for this purpose, to the outlet pipes 21, 29, 30, 31 and through the valve 32 to the service or house suppl pipe 33, to be drawn off through suitable fliucets as desired. When regenerating, the valves 22, 27, 32, and 34 are closed and the valve 24 is opened to permit introduction of suitable regenerating materials through the funnel 23 into the tank. The valve 22 may then be opened to permit the regenerating material to pass downwardly into the tank. The valve 24 may be closed at this point and thereafter the valves 34 and 22 are opened to permit water from the street main or supply source to flush out the regenerative matter through the outlet valve 22. After thorough washing, the valves 22 and 34 may be closed, and the valves 27 and 32 opened for normal water softening operation.

By virtue of the provision of a filter cloth and the dispensing with a bed of sand and gravel, I materially lighten the apparatus. This filter cloth may be made from Monel metal, brass, or nickel, or, in fact, any metal which is non-corrodible the strands of which are so closely woven and insome cases-given such subsequent treatment that it appears opaque, although the interstices or foramina between the Woven strands permit the free passage of water while eliminating dbris or matter which may be carried in suspension. The cloth may not only be woven closely, but sometimes, after weaving, it is rolled to flatten and congest the strands to reduce the size and shape of the interstices or formina while retaining a large proportion or ratio of interstices or foramina to the total surface area. This cloth not only filters suspended matter from the water before it enters the mineral bed and distributes it uniformly thereacross, but it will retain the zeolitic material or mineral, it permits the salt solution or other regenerating or revivifying agent. to be washed out quickly, insures an intimate contact between the regenerating or revivifying agent and the zeolite during regeneration or revivication, and provides many other advantages and features which make it generally superior to any other material for its purpose of which I am aware.

In use, the metal filter cloth spreads and distributes the water to the bottom surface of the base-exchange mineral at uniform pressure and volume thereover, which is a ighly desirable action for the reason that water softening being a chemical contact process between the water and the surface of the zeolitic or other material, the greatest efficiency of operation is obtained when the contact action is uniform throughout the entire cross section of the mineral bed. When sand and gravel or other constructions in use rior to my invention are utilized, the minera as well as the sand or gravel, etc.,

channel and sometimes cement, interfering with thorou h operation of the apparatus and destroying its efiiciency. Apparatus constructed in accordance w1th my invention entirely obviate such objections for the water is comingled with the mineral granules in a. consistently uniform action across the mineral bed area and throughout its generating or revivi ing operation. The" filtered out matter, co ecting in the bottom of the tank is not appreciably disturbed ex cept upon variation in the velocity of the water entering throu h the pipe 20, but whether or not it is isturbed, it will not interefere with the proper operation of the apparatus. Again, when two filters are used, one at the bottom and one at the top of the zeolite containing chamber, whether the filter be of metal cloth or of other material, the head room, such as that illustrated at 37 in Fig. 4:, which is necessary to prevent the zeolitic material from washing away during operation, if the upward flow method is used, may be materially reduced, if not entirely done away with. Preferably, however, when two filters are used, one at the top and one at the bottom of the zeolitic. material, a space of one or two inches may .be provided above the mineral to permit the mineral to lift with the upward flow of Water to combat any cementing action which may tend to take place.

The special type of filter cloth used should not be confused with an ordinary metal screen for it functions very differently. The

cloth made of non-corroding metal has a very high mesh from approximately 100 to 350 mesh, or finer.

Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive show greatly enlarged views of a single embodiment of filter cloth of the character contemplated by my invention. This particular filter cloth has 250 shoot wires A, and 20 warp wires B to the linear inch, and is known as a twilled weave, 250 by 20 mesh, having 5,000 inter-- stices to the square inch. Commercial filter cloth of numerous other weaves or of a.

felted character, might also be used, and the mesh, in case of a woven filter cloth, may also vary within a range sufiicient to perform the functions disclosed herein. For example, with a 200 by 200 mesh filter cloth there are 40,000 interstices to the square inch. Obviously, the mesh may be finer or coarser than the examples herein specified, and perform the desired functions. Another criteria is the size, and arrangement of the interstices, and the relation of the interstices with respect to each other. In all cases the diaphragm must be composed of a material which is not greatly corroded when in contact with water or brine. It should provide a large number of extremely fine,

closely spaced, approximately uniform, and permanently fixed interstices. These interstices must be of such fineness that when 1 water or brine solution is impinged upon the diaphragm, the resistance to the flow at any one point will be great enough to cause the water to uniformly distribute itself over total open area thereof to the total area of the distributing diaphragm is comparatively large so as not to create objectionable ressure drop. The foregoin criteria dene what I mean by extreme y fine interstices fixed with relation to each other.

Furthermore, in the use of filter cloth as a diaphragm, I mean any woven, felted, or matted material having the characteristics and functions above described.

As has been noted before and as will be emphasized here, water softening apparatus, prior to my invention, are not recommended for use with water which may contain suspended matter or matter which will separate out of chemical combination therefrom, in such form, without first treating and filtering the water. My apparatus not only renders this expedient unnecessary, but satisfactorily and efficiently softens water containing almost any suspended matter or iron in solution or which may separate out as suspended matter upon chemical decomposition.

Since the water and mineral are brought into more intimate contact and channeling is prevented, a greater capacity of softened water from adefinite amount of mlneral is obtained with my apparatus than with the sand and gravel type, and since the salt or other revivifying or regenerating agent and mineral are brought into more intimate contact than with other types of apparatus, quicker and more effective revivification or regeneration for any given mineral is obtained with less salt. Also many other valuable advantages are attained. For instance, where the sand and gravel types of water softening apparatus are used, it isnecessary to ship the apparatus separately fromthe zeolitic or other water softening material, and the sand or gravel to be used, separately from both, because the softener, sand and gravel, would mix during shipping and no longer function as they were lntended.

'When the materials so shipped have reached their destination, it is necessary that the apparatus be assembled and set up by an expert. But with my apparatus, I need no sand or gravel, and since the zeolite is homogeneous, the apparatus may be assembled at its place of manufacture and shipped com plete and ready for use at its destination. It will be appreciated that a material saving in cost is effected.

Durin regeneration, the re enerating agent, w ich will usually be a so ium chloride solution, or solid sodium chloride, will permeate or diffuse through the bed of mineral reacting with the material to replace calcium, etc), combined therewith with sodium, as hereinbefore explained. The filter cloth or filter material of other character insures a uniformly distributed flow of the regenerating solution over and. through the bed of zeohtic material and 'permits of ready washing out after regeneration. When a filter member is used above the top of the water softening material any debris which may possibly enter with the sodium chloride or solution thereof will be pre vented from contaminating the softening material.

My invention as exemplified by the use of'a diaphragm of silica or earthy material, or preferably filtros, is claimed in a divisional application.

The invention may be used with either upward or downward flow, although I prefer to use the upward flow as hereinbefore explained, and while I have illustrated but few modifications of my invention, it should be appreciated that many further modifications and changes-may be made in the construction, parts, arrangement and operationwithin the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: 1

1 In a water softener having a bed of base-,exchan e material, means or flowing water or brine solution through said material, and a diaphragm'having extremely fine interstices, closely and, uniformly spaced and permanently fixed for uniformly distributing the flow of said liquid through said material, said interstices being of such size as to prevent channeling under normal 0 rating pressures, to secure more com- 1. etc chemical exchange.

2. In a base-exchange water softener, in combination, a bed of base-exchange material, a diaphragmhaving extremely fine,

closely spaced and permanently fixed interstices, the resistance of which to the flow of liquid through the softener will cause the liquid to distribute itself over the diaphragm and to pass therethrough at uniform veloclty throughout its exposed area, to secure uniform distribution and velocity of the liquid over the cross-sectional area of said material, said interstices being of such size as to prevent channeling under normal 0 erating pressures, to secure more complete 0 emical exchange.

\ 3. In a base-exchange water softener, in combination, a container having an inlet and an outlet, a bed of base-exchange material in the container, means for flowing water or brine solution through said material in the container, and a diaphragm in the container having extremely fiifi'interstices fixed with relation to each other, said interstices being of such size that when the water or brine solution is impinged upon the diaphragm, the resistance to the flow at any one oint will be great enough to cause the liquid to uniformly distribute itself over the exposed area of the diaphragm and to How therethrough at uniform velocity to obtain a uniform distribution of the liquid through said material to prevent channeling under normal perating pressures and to secure more complete chemical exchange.

4. In a base-exchange water softener, the combination of a container having an inlet and an outlet, a bed of base-exchange material in the container, means for flowing liquid through said material in the container, and a diaphra m for uniformly distributing said liquid 1: rough said material, said diaghragm having extremely fine interstices xed with, relation to each other, said interstices bein of such size as to prevent channeling under normal operating pressures, the ratio of the total open area of said interstices to the total area of the distributing diaphragm being comparatively lar e so as not to create objectionable pressure op.

5. In a base-exchange water softener, the combination of a container having an inlet and an outlet, a bed of base-exchange material in said container, means for flowing a li uid through said material in the contamer, and a distributing dia hragm in the container, having extremely at interstices fixed with relation to each other, said interstices being of such size that when the liquid is impinged upon the diaphragm the resistanoe to the flow at; any one point will be great enough to cause the liquid to uniformly distribute itself over the exposed area of the diaphragm and to flow there through at uniform velocity to obtain-a uniform distribution of the liquid through said material to prevent channeling under normal operating pressures and to secure more com lete chemical exchange, the ratio of the tota open area of said interstices to the total area of the distributing diaphragm being comparatively large so as not to create objectionable pressure drop.

6. In a water softener, the combination of a bed of base-exchange material, means for flowing a liquid therethrough for effecting a chemical exchange, a diaphragm having extremely fine,un1formly spaced and permaneatly fixed interstices, the resistance of which will cause the liquid to be distributed across the diaphragm, and which will cause the liquid to "flow at uniform velocity throughout the cross-sectional area of said material, said interstices beingof such size as to avoid channeling under normal 0 erating pressure and to secure more comp ete chemical exchange.

7. In a water softener, the combination of a bed of base-exchange material, means for flowing a liquid therethrough for effecting a chemical exchange, a diaphragm having extremely fine, uniformly spaced and permanently fixed; interstices, the resistance of which will cause the li uid to be uniforml distributed across the dia agm, and whic will cause the liquid to flow at uniform velocit throu bout the cross-sectional area of sai material, said interstices being of such size as to prevent channeling under normal operating nressures to secure more complete chemical exchange throughout any cross-section of said bed of material.

8. In a water softener, in combination a bed of base-exchange material, means for flowing water or brine solution therethrough to effect a chemical exchan e, and a diaphra m having extremely fine interstices, close spaced and permanently fixed for distributin the water across said bed of material, the interstices being so fine that the resistance set up will cause the water to uniformly distribute itself over the exposed area of the diaphragm and to be uniforml distributed by the latter across the bed o softening material to avoid. channeling of the liquid flowing through the material under normal operating pressures and to secure more complete chemical exchange under normal functioning.

9. In a water softener, the combination of a bed of base-exchange material, means for flowing a fluid therethrough for effecting a chemical exchange, a diaphragm having interstices so small, closely spaced and permanently fixed as to effectively filter from the liquid foreign matter mechanically suspended therein, to distribute the liquid across the diaphra 'm, and to cause the liquid to flow at uni orm velocity throughchange water softening to the flow of water as to uniformly distribute the water throughout the cross-sectional area of the bed of said material, to avoid the entering of foreign matter in suspension in the Water into the material, to avoid channeling of the water flowing through the material, and to secure more complete chemical exichange under normal operating pressures.

11. In a water softener, in combination, a bed of base-exchan e' material, means for flowing liquid throug said material, and a diaphragm of filter cloth for distributing said liquid across said bed of material, said filter cloth having interstices of such size as to prevent channeling under normal operating pressures and to secure more complete chemical exchange.

12. In a Water softener, in combination, a container having an inlet and an outlet, a: foraminous support in said container intermediate said inlet and outlet, a dia Meof filter cloth on said support, a 0 base exchange material resting on said diaphragni, and means for causing flow of Water" through said material and diaphragm in 'e container, the interstices in said filter cloth being of such size as to prevent channeling under normal operating pressures.

13. In a water softener, in combination, a container having an inlet and an outlet, a foraminous support in said container intermediate said inlet and outlet having comparatively large interstices, a diaphra on said support having interstices so fine and permanently fixed as to function as filter cloth, a bed of base-exchange material resting on said diaphragm, and means for causing flow of Water through said material and diaphragm in the container, said interstices being of such size as to prevent channeling under normal operating pressures.

14, In a water softener, a container having an inlet and an outlet, a bed of base exd h at a: container, an a ia ra m o ot in said container at the inlet side di smd' material for filtering the water and for uniformly distributing the flow to and throughout the cross-sectional area of said material, the interstices of said filter cloth being ofsuch size as to prevent channeling under normal operating ressures.

15. In a water so ner, a container having an inlet andv an outlet, a bed of base-ere change water softening material in said container, and a diaphragm of filter cloth in said container at the inlet side of said material for filtering the water and for uniformly distributing the flow to and throughout the cross-sectional area of said material, the interstices of said filter cloth being of such size as to prevent channeling under normal operating pressures, said diaphragm constituting the sole filtering and distributing medium.

16. In a water softener, a container having bottom inlet and top outlet, a. bed of baseexchange water softening material in said container, and a diaphragm in said container beneath said material formed of filter cloth serving to retain said bed 0d the bottom of said container and to filter the water passing upwardly through said container and also to uniformly distribute the flow of the water throughout the cross-sectional area of said material, the interstices of said filter cloth being of such size as to prevent channeling under normal operating pressures.

17. In a Water softener, a container having an inlet and an outlet, a bed of base-exchange water sonin material in said c'ontainer between said n et and outlet, and diaphra ms in said container on opposite sidm OflStlld bed formed of filter cloth serving to retain said material in the normal and reverse fiowin of the water or brine solution through sai container and to filter the liquid and uniforml distribute the flow thereof throughout t e cross-sectional area of said' material, the interstices of said diaphragms being of such size as to prevent channeling under normal operating pressures. g

18. In a Water softener, in combination, a bed of base-exchange material, means for flowing the liquid therethrough, and a diaphragm having interstices which functionas those of filter cloth ofapproximately 100 mesh, or finer, for distributing the liqTid across said bed of material to secure more complete chemical exchange.

19. A base-exchange water softener comprising, in combination, an upright tank aving a hard water inlet and a waste outlet at its bottom end, a soft water outlet and a brine inlet at'its top, a diaphragm in the bottom of the tank above thehard water inlet having extremely fine, closely spaced and permanently fixed interstices,a bed of baseexchange material in the tankabove said diaphragm, said interstices being of such size as to prevent channeling under normal operating pressures, and means for causing flow of water or brine solution through said inlets and outlets whereby to soften the water by the upflow method and to regenerate by the downflow method the downflow serving to carr waste outlet the form n matter collected in the bottom of the tan and filtered by said diaphragm.

20. A base-exchange water softener comprising, in combination, a container, a bed of base-exchange mater al in the container a dia hragm 1n the container below said bed 0 material, said-diaphragm having extremely fine, closely arranged and perma nently fixed lnterstices as distinguished from sand, gravel, or quartz beds, means for causing the flow of water upward throu h the container whereby the water will be ltered by said diaphragm and souniformly distributed thereby over the cross-sectional area of said material as to prevent channeling therein and secure more com lete chemical exchange, the collection of oreign matter in the material being avoided by the filtering action of said diaphragm and the material being in a state of semi-suspension to provide more intimate contact of the upflowing water therewith, and means for causing the flow of a regenerating solution downward through the container whereby to carry away foreign matter filtered out away through the beneath the dia hragm and to regenerate the material wit out the usual intermediate operation of back-washing.

421. In a base-exchange water softener, in combination, a container, a bed of base-exchange material in said container, means for flowin water or a regenerating solution throng -said material to effect a chemical exchange, and means in said container for distributing said liquid, said means havin interstices of such size and relativel fixed relation as to prevent channeling t rough said material under normal operating pressures.

"22. In a base-exchange water softener, in combination, a container, a bed of base-exchange material in said container, and means for introducing water into said bed at points so numerous and closely and permanently spacedas .to prevent channeling under normal opirating pressures.

23 a base-exchange water softener, in combination, a container, a bed of baseexchange material in said container, and means for introducing water into said bed so, as to cause a uniform flow of water throughout any. transverse crossrsection of the bed to preventchanneling under normal operatm ressures.

ORLXND RUSSELL SWEENEY. 

